Chonburi: After being in the wilderness for close to two years, Jyoti Randhawa has rediscovered his touch and is again looking like the player who has eight titles on Asian tour and an Order of Merit against his name.
The 39-year-old Randhawa shot the third day's best round of seven-under 65 at the inaugural Thailand Golf Championship here on Saturday, which moved him into sixth place after 54 holes.
At eight-under 208, he was still 11 behind leader Lee Westwood and seven behind second-placed Charl Schwartzel (66) at 15-under 201.
Things were more difficult for other Indians. Jeev Milkha Singh and Gaganjeet Bhullar shot 72 each and slipped from overnight tied fifth to tied 13th.
While Rahil Gangjee (73) moved up from tied 64th to 49th, Himmat Rai (80) and Digvijay Singh (82) slipped to 70th and 74th. Kunal Bhasin, 32nd overnight, slipped to 43rd with a 75.
Randhawa had eight birdies on the card, including five on his back nine, to give himself a chance of ending his year on a high note following a relatively quiet season by his lofty standards.
"Seven under, after a long time on the Asian Tour and European Tour, it feels good. I won in India last week and had a bit of confidence coming here," said Randhawa.
"Good round today, another good round tomorrow will see me through."
Way down in 43rd place on Order of Merit, Randhawa has had top-30s in Iskandar Johor Open and Hong Kong Open.
"It feels like I don't want the season to end. It's a bit sad really. I'm looking forward to some good finishes. I've been playing well the last few weeks. A good week here will set me going in the next year. I changed a few things with my swing which I didn't need to previously. I have gone back to my old swing, made a few adjustments.
"The performance is better; I'm hitting it better and putting better. Under pressure, whatever I need to do, I can do it now with the old swing. I know what I need to do to play well in the world of golf. I've got that back now and just need to keep doing it."
Randhawa added: "Last year I took too much time off. I need to play more golf tournaments. Previously a year and a half ago, I had played too much in Europe and when I came back, I didn't want to play. But I have learnt that you have to keep playing, you have to be in tournament mode.
"This is my seventh week in a row and that says it. I've never played more than four in a row. This year I realised I needed to keep playing to find my form and that's what I did.
"I consciously played in a lot of events in India and I did well, too. I have used the Indian Tour to get my game and confidence back."
On the domestic PGTI Tour, he has six top-10s in six starts on Indian Tour with two wins and two second places.
About the Amata Spring Country Club Course, he said, "It's one of the best golf courses I've played in Asia. It's very challenging when the wind is blowing. Lee (Westwood) is playing a different golf course. He was amazing. That's some different golf he's playing. I don't think I can catch him. Just aim for second place."
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